On March 17 at 9:29 PM, fewer than 24 hours before the endorsement meeting, a ranking member of the Democratic Committee of Lower Merion Narberth (DCLMN) emailed 31 fellow committee members, calling attention to Lester’s problematic answer to Question #5 from Issues and Policy that she found concerning.
Further highlighting what DCLMN considers to be Lester’s disqualifying answer to Question #5
Committee member Sarah Tarlow cited it again in her “talking points” memo sent to all committee members on May 9.
After careful consideration, Rich Lester was not selected by our Democratic Committee, though he sought our endorsement. He is a successful businessman. When asked how he would address a decrease in funding, he responded that he would look for savings by: assessing “labor…our largest expense”, understanding “criteria” to “eliminate positions” investigating “employee benefit programs (including the pension);” questioning “eliminat[ing] some positions through increasing class size in middle and high school;” and contemplating how to“reduce expenses” such as “extracurricular activities and sports.” While fiscal responsibility is essential, people move to Lower Merion for our preeminent schools; they are award-winning because of our relatively small class sizes and our ability to attract talented teachers by providing salaries and benefits commensurate with their educational level and expertise. It’s short-sighted to scrimp on investments needed to maintain our level of excellence. Mr. Lester is now running, being co-promoted with the Republican slate.
In case you’re wondering, here is Question #5.
And here is Rich Lester’s Problematic Answer to Question #5
The Committee preferred endorsed-candidate, Jennifer Rivera’s answer to Rich Lester’s, even though, according to several different checkers, Rivera’s answers to the question were completely generated by AI.
The website of the Republican slate doesn’t mention Rich Lester.
The sample ballot of the Republican Slate doesn’t promote Rich Lester.
The Republican Slate’s lawn signs don’t mention Rich Lester
Rich Lester’s mailers don’t mention the Republican Slate.
But for DCLMN to say that “Mr. Lester is now running, being co-promoted with the Republican slate,” is not a complete fabrication. One person on Facebook is calling for a vote for Rich Lester, along with the three Republicans.
If you search for hours, you may or may not find another example of this.